The Pennsylvania Derby closes out the Grade 1 dust stakes this yr for 3-year-olds and Saturday’s $1 million stakes at Parx Racing attracted one of many stars of the Triple Crown. Preakness winner Seize the Gray is amongst a area of 11 as he appears to be like to get again on the successful observe after losses in his final two begins.
1. Doc Sullivan (12-1 morning-line odds): Has been formidable in stakes for New York-breds, however has but to run in an open stakes. Has the pace figures to be aggressive however can he deal with the bounce in school?
JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Mike Miceli
2. Seize the Gray (5-1): After successful the Preakness Stakes, he was seventh within the Belmont Stakes and fourth within the Jim Dandy Stakes Offered by Mohegan Solar, each at Saratoga. Coach D. Wayne Lukas thinks he might not have favored Saratoga’s major observe. If that’s the case, count on a bounce again effort. If not …
JOCKEY: Jaime Torres; TRAINER: D. Wayne Lukas
3. Lonesome Boy (20-1): Prepped for this in a dash stakes however he’s but to indicate that he can win in graded stakes firm.
JOCKEY: Adam Bowman; TRAINER: Hugo Padilla
4. Timeout (10-1): Has stepped up his sport since he stretched out to 1 1/8 miles three begins again. Was third within the Curlin Stakes in his lone stakes effort however his pace figures make him an intriguing risk.
JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: Invoice Mott
5. Protecting (8-1): Lastly broke his maiden in his seventh begin however he has already run in three graded stakes and has a pair of thirds. That win may wake him up and his prime pace figures plus having Irad Ortiz Jr. within the saddle make him a risk right here.
JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Todd Pletcher
6. Simply Step On It (15-1): Was second within the Smarty Jones Stakes, the native prep for this race, and was fourth within the Grade 1 NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes. Might be an fascinating play if the chances are lengthy sufficient.
JOCKEY: Jose Lezcano; TRAINER: Louis Linder Jr.
7. Dragoon Guard (9-5): Misplaced his debut after which reeled off 4 straight wins, together with the West Virginia Derby and Indiana Derby. Has loads of pace and will grow to be locked in a duel with Seize the Gray, however Dragoon Guard appears sharp sufficient to deal with that problem and be a significant component.
JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Brad Cox
8. Unmatched Knowledge (8-1): Didn’t present his customary early pace within the DraftKings Travers Stakes when he was seventh. Gained the Curlin Stakes on the entrance finish and his exercises point out he can bounce again with an enormous strive right here.
JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Chad Brown
9. Who’s the King (20-1): Will get Mike Smith to journey however misplaced by 25 lengths in a Saratoga starter-allowance race final day trip. Even with a Corridor of Famer aboard, it’s laborious to count on an enormous effort from him.
JOCKEY: Mike Smith; TRAINER: Saffie Joseph Jr.
10. Uncle Heavy (12-1): Gained the Grade 3 Withers Stakes within the winter and later ran within the Preakness and completed sixth on a muddy observe. Was third within the Smarty Jones Stakes, however he didn’t get a lot tempo to assist his late kick. Issues must be totally different right here.
JOCKEY: Mychel Sanchez; TRAINER: Butch Reid
11. Stronghold (5-2): Gained the Santa Anita Derby after which was seventh within the Kentucky Derby Offered by Woodford Reserve. In his lone begin since then, he was second to Dragoon Guard within the Indiana Derby. Seems formidable on paper however drew a troublesome submit for his stalking operating model
JOCKEY: Antonio Fresu; TRAINER: Phil D’Amato
THE PICK: Dragoon Guard
LIVE LONGSHOT: Uncle Heavy
SUPERFECTA: 7-11-8-10